On Saturday, Shilo Sanders made his NFL preseason debut in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 29-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. After the game, Sanders provided a hilarious response when a reporter asked him if he planned on giving his game-worn jersey to his father, Deion Sanders, as a gift. “”He didn’t want it,” Shilo Sanders said […]
On Saturday, Shilo Sanders made his NFL preseason debut in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 29-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. After the game, Sanders provided a hilarious response when a reporter asked him if he planned on giving his game-worn jersey to his father, Deion Sanders, as a gift.
“”He didn’t want it,” Shilo Sanders said with a laugh. “‘Cause, you know he’s a Hall of Famer. He expects like 30 times more. He didn’t want my jersey. I’m gonna give it to my mom, though… He don’t want it. I gotta get like three picks or something for him to want that.”
Deion’s birthday happened to coincide with Shilo’s preseason debut. Alas, the 25-year-old defensive back will have to find another gift for his Hall-of-Fame father.
Despite Shilo’s jokes, Deion undoubtedly enjoyed watching his son chase his dreams at the next level. In the victory, Shilo looked solid, recording a tackle and a hit on Titans quarterback Brandon Allen.
“It felt good,” Sanders said about the hit. “Thank you, God, for putting me in position to even be on the field. I feel like I left some big hits on the table.
“Next game will be some improvement on my angles, on my tracking because you don’t really get to work on it in an NFL practice or you’re gonna get kicked out of practice. Seeing a game for the first time in a long time, did some good things. It is what it is.”
Shilo Sanders didn’t hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, but signed with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles praised Sanders for his performance after the preseason showing.
“He played tough,” Bowles said. “I thought he went in and did a heck of a job. He had some good tackles inside. He had a pressure on the quarterback as well. He did some good coverage things, so he did a good job when he was in there.”
In two seasons at Colorado, Sanders started in all 19 of his appearances. He totaled 125 tackles, three tackles for loss, five forced fumble, four pass breakups, a sack and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Earlier this month, Bowles said Sanders has a legitimate chance of earning a roster spot.
“He’s coming along. He’s getting the scheme down,” Bowles said. “He’s made plays like everybody else back there. There are a few tests that come up during the preseason – Tuesday night was one, and the other three preseason games and practices will be others. He’s got a chance to make it.”
Category: Football
